The South Bayview Bulldog

Mega pod of dolphins may have numbered more than 100 say witnesses

As seen in the video below, a huge pod of dolphins leaped along the California coast south of Lost Angeles Sunday, thrilling onlookers lucky enough to witness the rare sight. Chuck Patterson and his friends were taking their boat out for hydrofoil surfing when the dolphins appeared in the waters off Laguna Beach. The pod began following in their wake and surrounded the vessel. The dolphins swam alongside and leaped out of the water as they raced alongside the boat. “Absolutely amazing witnessing this huge pod of young dolphins marching up the coast off Laguna Beach today,” Patterson wrote on Facebook. “Mother Nature’s amazing wonders never disappoint.”

What is it about an absence of sidewalks in some finer neighbourhoods that appeals to the homeowners there? It’s a phenomenon seen this week as the City pushes to make roads safer in the Kingsway. The discussion has gone back and forth in Lawrence Park where streets such as Mildenhall Rd. remain without sidewalks. Two years ago a concern for the uprooting of old trees was offered as a good reason not to build sidewalks. Lawrence Park resident Phillip Crawley, CEO and publisher and of the Globe and Mail, offered a comment. “The overwhelming view was the destruction of trees was not something the residents wanted to see,” he said. “They’ve gotten used to not having sidewalks.” But the affection for no sidewalks seems to run deeper than that.

Rides off on bicycle

Standing around at Laird Dr. and Parkhurst Blvd.

A post at Leaside Community shows pictures of a man hanging about the Coach House on Laird Drive just north of Parkhurst Blvd. He then entered the courtyard and is subsequently seen riding out on a bicycle. The pictures were apparently taken about 7.20 p.m. earlier this week.

Lennon Turco with mother Michelle Tuckett and sister Charlie, July 16, 2019. Darren Taylor/SooToday

A Sault Ste. Marie boy, Lennon Turco, 12, is well on his way to beating his dangerous, potentially fatal, congenital peanut allergy. Two years ago his parents, Michelle and Steve, applied to have him enter a clinical study in Toronto. Now, thanks to treatment received at the Sussman Clinic, 202 St. Clair West, Lennon can eat foods containing peanuts without fear. He has to be careful with amounts, but his condition is only going to improve. Most importantly, he is no longer subject to the accidental ingestion of peanuts that might take his life. SooToday

Police rescue man from wires at the Prince Edward Viaduct

The Don Valley Parkway was closed for more than an hour on Wednesday as Toronto police worked to rescue a man who had climbed onto wires at the Prince Edward Viaduct. Police had closed the road in both directions around 6:45 p.m.  By 7:30, they said officers had successfully taken the man to safety and that he was not injured.  CBC

Third of Toronto residents say they cannot live without a car

A new Forum Research poll, provided exclusively to the Toronto Sun, reveals that 77% of Toronto residents own cars and one-third of City residents say they can’t live without one. Toronto Sun

Oak falls at Heath and Welland

Oak falls at Heath and Welland

Moore Park was without power Wednesday from 12.30 to shortly before 5 p.m. when a mighty oak tree at Welland Ave and Heath St crashed down during noon-hour. The tree had been pummeled by heavy rain — for the last time in its long life Wednesday morning. But it was sunny when the fall occurred. Hydro repair staff were on the job at about 1.30 p.m. and required three and a half hours to restore power.

Sonny Subra tweeted this graphic shot of submerged cars on the 401 eastbound ramp at Islington

Widespread but localized flooding has occurred Wednesday across Toronto. Eglinton Avenue was flooded at the Allen Road. The video below shows conditions on Highway 400 at an unspecified location. City News says Jane Street at St. Clair Avenue was also flooded with water reaching up to the top of the wheel well on cars travelling in the area. The TTC said subway trains continued operation despite flooding at Jane Station. Shuttle buses were operating in the area from Jane to Runnymede stations. Traffic cameras show the Bayview extension remains opens.

Cars were full of water. We drain those water out. #onstorm #GTA #flooding weather pic.twitter.com/y8QrxkJNZx

— Sonny Subra (@SonnySubra) July 17, 2019

Long day of rain ahead for Toronto/AccuWeather Radar 9.45 a.m.

Wednesday will be wet (as you can see) while remnants of Storm Barry blow through our area. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the City of Toronto, warning of the possibility of 20 to 40 millimetres of rain. The weather statement says that the heaviest rain will come to an end later in the morning however there could be “additional showers and thunderstorms late this afternoon.”

As police launched a summer crackdown on loud cars and motorcycles Mayor Tory observed that his wife viewed such nuisances as evidence of certain male inadequacies. His honour added with typical discretion that “I will go no further than that.” But many will agree and applaud the campaign against these thoughtless barrages of noise. The crackdown was launched Monday in Yorkville, a so-called hotspot of such noise. “We are focussing here and on a few areas in Scarborough, including Kingston Road and Birchcliff Avenue,” said Superintendent Scott Baptist. “There have been many complaints going to city Councillors and they want us to do something about the loud car stereos and cars, trucks, and motorcycles exhausts emitting sound to the extent that it disturbs patrons at a restaurant, nearby residents, and other motorists on the roadway.” TPS story by Ron Fanfair

Supt. Scott Baptist and Mayor John Tory at the campaign launch in Yorkville/Toronto Police

Two people were treated for smoke inhalation after a two-alarm fire in an apartment over Crossroads Pool Hall at the northwest corner of Warden and Danforth Aves. TFS personnel are seeking a cause.

Cards may be tampered with before purchase

Pick from middle and examine carefully

A most interesting (and growing) thread at Leaside Community Tuesday tells of how so-called gift cards may be tampered with even before they come into the hands of an honest purchaser. The perpetrator is able to obtain the PIN and drain the card as soon as the unsuspecting purchaser has loaded money onto it. One poster complains bitterly that the Mt. Pleasant Road drugstore which sold the card has not refunded his money. Security Solutions.

This report says City Council will hear Tuesday that Don Mills residents are taking Toronto to court over its decision to renege on a 2010 legal agreement to build a new community centre on the site of the old Citivan Arena at 1030 Don Mills Rd. Instead, Council has voted to build the centre about 1.5 kilometres south at Don Mills and Eglinton opposite the new LRT station. Residents call it a betrayal of a community that was promised a new Civitan at the 1960s arena site.

Health Minister Christine Elliott warns that an early flu season in Australia and New Zealand may well indicate a difficult fall and winter flu season here. Australian health authorities report unusually high flu activity during the Oz wintertime. Hospitalizations are three times greater and there have been more than 200 deaths so far, according to that country’s department of health. Ontario has ordered 300,000 more doses of high-dose flu vaccines than last year, bringing the total order to 1.2 million doses. That vaccine has four times the amount of antigens than the regular flu shot and is given to more vulnerable people, such as seniors. It can be provided in hospitals, long-term care homes and by primary care providers.